Facile synthesis of the N-doped graphene/nickel oxide with enhanced electrochemical performance for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

The nitrogen-doped graphene/NiO nanohybrids with a hierarchical structure have been successfully synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal route assisted by microwave treatment. The as-obtained products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The nitrogen-doped graphene/NiO electrodes exhibit an enhanced electrochemical performance. The initial discharge capacity can reach 1737 mAh g−1 at the current density of 0.1 A g−1. Significantly, the nanocomposites anodes also display a relatively high reversible capacity of 1095 mAh g−1 at the current density of 0.3 A g−1 after 100 cycles. Herein, the nitrogen-doped graphene/NiO possesses electrodes enormous potential as the anode materials for lithium ion batteries.